Thread: Wrenches

Why is it that the vintage tools are usually better when we have better steels & more accurate heat treating methods....well, I thought just a second and answered my own question...greed. I still don't understand it though, it would cost less than 10% more to make a quality tool...

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Why is it that the vintage tools are usually better when we have better steels & more accurate heat treating methods....well, I thought just a second and answered my own question...greed. I still don't understand it though, it would cost less than 10% more to make a quality tool...

But then with really good quality you can put your self out of business, it has happened before!

I was raised that your reputation is your wealth, so if I went out of business for selling "too good" of a product...I could live with that. What I couldn't live with is knowing that I sold a product that I KNEW was inferior to what I COULD produce.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I was raised that your reputation is your wealth, so if I went out of business for selling "too good" of a product...I could live with that. What I couldn't live with is knowing that I sold a product that I KNEW was inferior to what I COULD produce.

I agree 100%!
I always hated to fix some broken jewellery for a fixed price, been told "that's enough, no more work on that one" when I feel I'm not done with it.

Originally Posted by Firefighter2

...With full warranty, why pay 3 times as much for a name, like Snap-On...

It's not about the warranty. It's about the quality of the tool, and with Snap-On hand tools you will probably NEVER even need to use the warranty. Imagine that? Buying something that you will never need to buy again... or turn in for warranty... sounds like a small group of the population that is shaving with straight razors!! Ok, I'll get off my now.

Here are some specialized wrenches for your perusal. At the top, a Westcott adjustable wrench. When I started doing ironwork in the late '60s, the old time 'Bridgeman' still called adjustable wrenches by that name. As in "let me see the Westcott."

Guys in my age group, and younger would have adopted the 'Crescent' wrench referring to adjustables. The razor box over top is to show the size.

Below the Westcott an assortment of Campagnolo bicycle wrenches for working on their specific bicycle components. The 'peanut butter' wrench, so called because of the spatula like handle, The large ones are for headset, bottom bracket, pedals, and a couple of others.

Quality tools are a blessing. I use mostly Snap-On , and lots of vintage tools which range from Blackhawk, Cornwell, Crescent and Craftsman to Knipex, Mac, Proto, SK, Williams and more and Love them all. Quality has fallen off in many brands, for certain. I have learned to go with Snap-On and vintage quality stuff!

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Here are some specialized wrenches for your perusal. At the top, a Westcott adjustable wrench. When I started doing ironwork in the late '60s, the old time 'Bridgeman' still called adjustable wrenches by that name. As in "let me see the Westcott."

Guys in my age group, and younger would have adopted the 'Crescent' wrench referring to adjustables. The razor box over top is to show the size.

Below the Westcott an assortment of Campagnolo bicycle wrenches for working on their specific bicycle components. The 'peanut butter' wrench, so called because of the spatula like handle, The large ones are for headset, bottom bracket, pedals, and a couple of others.

I have a Hamburg foundry adjustable exactly like your wescott, the only difference is the eye on the handle has the square key for oxygen/acetylene bottles. I carry it every day on the job. It was made around the 50's.

90% of my work tools are no newer than 40 years old too. The spud wrenches I carry depend on job. I always have my Bethlehem Steel heavy nut 3/4 and 7/8 that my uncle gave me for finishing my apprenticeship. And on a tin can I have a set of american bridge common nut. As for around the house I only use Williams, proto, or Klein hand tools. All American made. I don't allow anyone in my house to buy any foreign hand tools.

19mm Is a 3/4" is a wrench.

That is why it is so hard to find.....

Originally Posted by meleii

As for around the house I only use Williams, proto, or Klein hand tools. All American made. I don't allow anyone in my house to buy any foreign hand tools.

I am almost the same way, but I do make exceptions for Knipex, Whitte and a couple other brands that are made in Germany, Japan, England etc. Oh, I can't forget Sweden, those guys make a mean chain saw!

So I do make exceptions to where my tools are made if I know it is really good stuff.


I heard a saying a while back that made sense:

"Only a rich man can afford cheap tools, as he is the only one who can afford to buy them again when they break."